BA50 Picks For Best TV

Winter is coming…time to hunker down, pour a cup of hot chocolate, light the fire, and binge watch. There are some great new shows out there! Here are some suggestions….we are focusing mostly on the new shows here, not rehashing our beloved shows that we all know about already (Game of Thrones, Ray Donovan, Homeland, Transparent) but if you are looking for more, click here for my suggestions from last spring!

Here are a few new shows you may not have heard of…

This is Us. We don’t often watch network TV these days, but this new show on NBC is worth it. The show shifts back from the past (where Jack and his wife are very pregnant with triplets) –to the present, where their kids, all very different, are grown up. This is the first show that we know of that stars a plus-size woman as one of the grown up kids, and it does it so fabulously. Heartwarming dialogue– you can’t help but like this show.

The Crown. Do you miss Downton Abbey? Of course you do…that’s why we tried The Crown in the first place! Honestly, it is not as good as Downton, but what is? If you are a little obsessed with the Royals, this one is for you! Very much worth watching.

The Crown

The Night Of. “…The Night Of is an eight-part limited series that delves into the intricate story of a fictitious murder case in New York City. The series follows the police investigation and legal proceedings, all the while examining the criminal justice system and the purgatory of Rikers Island, where the accused awaits his trial…Filmed in and around Manhattan, the HBO series is based on the BBC’s “Criminal Justice,” created by Peter Moffat.” Review from http://www.hbo.com/the-night-of/mini-series-information.html

Shameless. I included this show in my spring round up, but I notice that a lot of my friends are just getting into this, and they love it! From Showtime: “Oscar-nominated actor William H. Macy stars as Frank Gallagher, a single father of six who spends much of his free time drinking at bars. The Gallagher children — led by oldest daughter Fiona (Emmy Rossum), who takes on much of the child-rearing responsibility due to her mother’s absence — manage to raise themselves in spite of Frank’s lack of parenting and unusual parenting style when he does choose to act like a father.”

Westworld. We never thought we would like this show because we thought it was a little too sci fi for our tastes– and we didn’t,,,we loved it! From HBO: “Westworld isn’t your typical amusement park. Intended for rich vacationers, the futuristic park — which is looked after by robotic ‘hosts’ — allows its visitors to live out their fantasies through artificial consciousness. No matter how illicit the fantasy may be, there are no consequences for the park’s guests, allowing for any wish to be indulged. ‘Westworld’ — which is based on the 1973 Michael Crichton movie of the same name — features an all-star cast that includes Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Golden Globe winner Ed Harris.”

Atlanta. Atlanta is one of the places for young rappers…and this comedy-drama television series is about two cousins navigating their way in the Atlanta rap scene in an effort to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

Fleabag: You can watch the entire six-episode season on a snowy weekend day (a total of 3 hours), and it’s worth it (especially if you like biting British humor that is more than a little bit sad.) The show’s heroine is played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and she is definitely a flawed 30-something single woman, but so lovable and sympathetic as she makes her way through her difficult life. You you will love her crazy, hyped up sister. We laughed out loud…you may too.

Broadchurch. On Amazon video. two seasons available, 8 episodes each. Another one from the BBC that we love…. “When the corpse of an 11-year-old British boy, Danny Latimer, is found bloodied and dirty on an idyllic beach, a small Dorset community becomes the focus of a police investigation and media madness…While dealing with so much unwelcome attention, Danny’s family tries to cope with its grief. When a suspect is named and charged, the ensuing trial sees the defendant promising to expose more of the townspeople’s secrets.”

BA50 Picks For Best TV was last modified: December 12th, 2016 by Ronna Benjamin

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After 28 years of practicing real estate law, Ronna Benjamin realized how much she loved writing and how much she hated lawyering. She jumped into the world of writing at Better After 50 and never looked back! She is loving her “second act” as Partner and Managing Editor at Better After 50. Ronna writes humorously about the things BA50s are concerned about – personal experiences with adult children, the quirks of aging parents and in-laws, and her own emotional and physical health issues (i.e., insomnia, anxiety, and bulging waist lines). A native Bostonian who loves to spend time with her husband and three adult children, Ronna also enjoys sailing, cooking, running, and biking–and she tolerates skiing so she is not left home during family vacations. Check out her new book “We Are Better After 50 Because…” co-written by Ronna and her BA50 Partner Felice Shapiro, a perfect gift for the birthday girl in her 50’s!